Sounder adapted for submarine use.



E. C. WOOD.

SOUNDER ADAPTED FOR SUBMARINE USE. APPLICATION FILED ris. 12. |912.

1 1 89,028. Patented June 27, 1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET l.

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E. C. WOOD.

SGUNDER ADAPTED FOR SUBMARINE USE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB.`12,1912.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

M1-[$255125: 41,. a. @1 @55. W)

"M1-NEE. EEE:

E. C. WOOD.

SOUNDER ADAPTED FOR SUBMARINE USE. APPLICATION msn FEB.12, 1912.

1 ,189,028. PateutedJune27,1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3- di@ -M' liz - UNITED sTATEs PATENT OEEIOE.

EDWARD c. woon, or sOMERvILLE, MASSACHUSETTS, AssrerNoE To sUBMARIN-E SIGNAL COMPANY, or wATERvILLE, MAINE, y.icORPOEATION 0E M ATNE.

SOUNDER v.ADAPLIEED FOR SUBMARINE USE.

Appli-cation filed February 12, 1912.

To all whom it may cof/wem.'

Be it known that I, EDWARD C. WOOD, of Somerville, in the county of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts, a citizen of the United States, have invented a new and useful Improvementin Sounders Adapted for Submarine Use, of which the following is af According to this invention in its preferred form the bell hammer is connected to two flexible diaphragmswhich are adapted to be actuated by fluid pressure `under theA control of a diierential valve constructed inV such manner that each impulse of Huid pressure upon the valve will move the valve 1n one direction and cause air under pressure to ope-rate a diaphragm to throw they clapper in one direction against the bell and when the impulse on the'valve ceases so that the valve returns to its normal position the other diaphragm will in likermanner throw the clapper in the opposite direction, during which movement the air behind the firstmentioned diaphragm will be exhausted.

My present invention therefore relates to a type of pneumatic bell in which the clapper is given a movement by two opposing diaphragms such that it will strike two opposite sides of the bell successively instead of one side only, this result being accomplished in the apparatus shown by a single complete reciprocation of the valve.

As a matter of convenience of 'description I have described what is usually called the striker as comprising two parts, the clapper which strikes the bell and the clapper arm which is the lever to which the clapper is attached and to which power is applied to cause the bell to 'be struck.

In this embodiment of my invention one end of the clapper arm passes up into a casing and is there acted upon directly by two motors located opposite each other to push the end of the clapper arm irst in one direction and then in the other, and the yopening Specification of Letters Patent.

Serial No. 677,263.

in the casing through which the clapper arm passes is closed by a. flexible neck which, while flexible axially, is confined radially so that it will maintain a conical form under all ordinary conditions of pressure and use.

My invention willbe understood by reference to the drawings in which its preferred embodiment is shown.

Figure l'is a vertical section through the casing and bell, Fig. Q being an enlarged vertical section-taken at right angles to Fig.

l and showing only the 'upper portion of the mechanism. Fig. 3 is an elevation of the portion `of the mechanism shown in Fig. 2,V

the casing being shown in section; Fig. 4 is a section on line 4-4 of Fig. 2, and Fig.` 5 is a plan showing the top of the casing.

A is the casing the lower end of which is Patented June 2v, 1916.

closed by the plate A1 and the upper end ot n which is provided with three openings, one a a pressure opening to carry compressed air to `operate the motors, the second .a1 being an exhaust outlet, the third a2 conveying impulses of compressed air to the valve as below described.- The two compressed air inlets should be provided with some convenient form of pipe connection to connect them with a source of compressed air. A similar pipe will preferably lead from the exhaust opening to above the water line.

To the under side of the plate A1 is Vat-V tached by means of suitable semiscircular cleats B1 and bolts b the bell B, a rubber washer b1 being located between the underhang of the cleats and the flange b2 of the bell. The clapper arm C is hung on a shaft C1 mounted in bearings C3 forming part of a cylinder or drum C2. This drum C2 has a circular opening in its lower end on opposite sides of which are the bearings C3, this opening registering with the openingl in thev neck D which projects upward from the plate A1 of which it is a part. A flange C4 on the drum C2 is bolted to a corresponding flange on top of the neck D by bolts (Z. Theends .of the drum C2 are closed by diap hragm holders F1 and G1as below Idescribed. The .top oi1 the drum is also provided with an opening closed by the yvalve mechanism, the whole forming an exhaust chamber A3 as described below. The upper end of the clapper armv carries aV fork E1 into which `sets a block E2 `through which passes a pin E3 journaledin suitable bearings in a crossbar E. A neck C5 conical in shape but open at the top and formed pref erably of rubber or other elastic and flexible material is attached to the clapper arm C below the shaft C1 by means of a clamp collar c of such character as to cause the neck Ct to make a watertight joint with the clapper arm C. The lower end of this neck turns outwardly and around the flange b2 of the bell so as to act with the washer b1 as a packing to prevent the leakage of water around the flange and up into the chamber A3 as well as to provide proper acoustic insulation, the whole providing a perfectly flexible and yet watertight joint. The neck C5 as shown has a number of wire rings c1 molded in it which limit its radial expansion under pressure without limiting its axial flexibility. A cloth insulation may be used instead.

The mechanism for reciprocating the crossbar E and thus causing the stroke of the bell comprises two diaphragme F and G, the centers of which are located approximately opposite each other, the two being so arranged and connected (as will be described. below) that pressure will be applied to move one at the same time that all pressure upon the other is released, and the connection or crossbar E with the clapper arm C is such as to allow the upper end of the clapper arm to swing easily on its shaft. The ends of the crossbar E are threaded and the connection of each end to its diaphragm is alike. These connections comprise two disks c, el, each having a hole in the middle to enable it to be slipped onto the crossbar E. The disk c is lirst slipped upon a hub c2 on the crossbar. The diaphragm F or G is then slipped on the crossbar, each diaphragm having a hole for the purpose. The disk el which has a clearance hole is then slipped onto the end of the crossbar and against the diaphragm, the whole being held in place by means of a nut e3 which is screwed onto the end of the bar E and suitably locked.

The ends of the drum C2 are as above stated formed by annular diaphragm holders F1, G1, each forming a support for one of the diaphragms F, G, between which and the edge of the drum the edge of each diaphragm is clamped. To secure an airtight joint between each diaphragm, its holder and the drum each diaphragm holder is preferably grooved and the edges of the cylinder are provided with ribs or projections. Bolts 7", g passing through the diaphragm holders and diaphragm force the diaphragms against the support and into the grooves, thus forming an airtight chamber between each diaphragm and its holder when the center of the holder is closed, the Whole also forming with the closure above described an exhaust chamber A3 within the cylinder.

rlhe center of each holder is closed by means of a cup-shaped plug F 2, G2 containing preferably a resilient cushion F3, G3 of rubber or the like. Each plug is hexagonal or otherwise shaped so that it may be turned by a wrench and it is adjusted in place to give the crossbar E a slight rebound when it strikes the resilient material so that the clapper after it has struck the bell will have a corresponding rebound and thus not deaden the Vibrations of the bell.

rEhe diaphragme F, G are set opposite each other. As is shown in Fig. l there is a space or chamber FA1 between the diaphragm F and the holder F1 whereas the diaphragm G and its support G1 are in substantial contact. The clapper is caused to strike the opposite side of the bell from that shown in that ligure by reversing the positions of the diaphragme, the reversal being caused by delivering compressed air into the chamber G4 between the diaphragm G and its holder G1 and allowing the air in chamber F* between diaphragm F and its holder Fl to escape.

For the purpose of controlling and shifting the pressure from one diaphragm chamber to the other and so reciprocating the clapper a dierential valve H is provided located in a casting J, this valve controlling the pressure in two passages F 5, G5, the one F5 connected with the chamber' between the diaphragm F and the holder F1, and the other G5 connected with the chamber between the diaphragm G and the holder G1.

The valve H is a differential reciprocating piston valve. lt is moved downward by impulses of air delivered upon its upper surface, and is lifted upon the ceasing of each impulse by the air pressure in the pressure chamber A2 which acts upon a fractional portion of its under surface, a valve rod H1 being hollow for this purpose and being connected with the pressure chamber A2.

T he valve H slides in a cylinder It located in the casting J. The casting is bolted by bolts j to a plate K. The plate K has three passages, one /0 which connects the chamber l7'1 in the casting J with the opening a? which conveys impulses of compressed air to the Valve H, another a passage 761 connecting the opening al with the pressure chamber A2 in the casing and third ft2 which registers with the opening t and connects it with the passage L5. The joints between J, K and the inner wall of the casing A are suitably packed to prevent leakage. The casting J has a long projection extending down from its upper face and forming a closure to an opening in the top of the drum C2, closing this opening and preventing leakage between the pressure chamber A2 and the exhaust chamber A3. This casting has the lower end of the valve rod H1.

a shoulder y'2 against which the lower end of the cylinder h rests and it also has a sleeve ja having four series of perforations l, 2, 3 and 4, which form at appropriate times air passages to allow the compressed air to pass to the chambers behind said diaphragms, or to escape therefrom as occasion may require. This sleeve also forms a bearing for the hollowr valve rod H1 of the valve H. The bottom of the valve rod is of less diameter1 than the diameter` of the top portion of the valve so that it olfers a less area to air pressure below the valve than does the area of the upper surface of the valve. Thus an impulse given through the opening a2 at a certain pressure will drive the valve downward against a corresponding pressure on its under side applied throriligh he valve rod is suitably packed and has bypasses h2 and h3 extending around it, these by-passes being of suliicient vertical length to connect two adjacent openings 1 and 2, 2 and 3 or 3 and 4.

In addition the casting J has ports 11, 12, 13 and 14 extending around it, which ports register with the openings 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively, in the sleeve ja. The casting is also held in place by bolts j4 against a suitable crossbar js mounted on top of the drum C2. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2 the valve is in its highest position, there being no pressure above it to counterbalance the pressure below it. The pressure below it is the pressure of the chamber A2 which is communicated to the hollow chamber in the valve rodV through the opening L and the passage L1.

Upon the application of an impulse of compressed air through the opening a2 which is connected with the source of compressed air above the water level by a suitable plpe, the valve H is depressed to its extreme lower position where it rests upon the top of the sleeve J 3. The by-pass h2 is thus brought into position to connect the openings 1 and 2 and the' by-pass h3 is brought into position to connect the openings 3 and the opening F5 4. As a result compressed air from the reservoir A2 which is alwaysy under pressure of say 30 pounds to the square inch, is communicated through the opening L and passage L1 to port 11 through the openings 1,

by-pass h2, openings 2, port 12, and to theV passage L2 leading to the opening G5 and the chamber G4 where it acts on the diaphragm G inflating it and throwing the crossbar E and the lupper end of the clapper arm C and causing the clapper to strike the bell. This same movement of the valve brings the by-pass h3 into position to connect .the openings 3 and 4 and this allows the exhaust from the chamber F4 through in the diaphragm F and the L3, port 14, openings 4, by-pass 71,3,

passage 3 and port 13 into the passage L4,

openings L5, KZ which connects the exhaust chamber A3 with the exhaust opening a. leading out of the casing A preferably by a suitable pipe not shown. The exhaust passage L4 and chamber A3 are somewhatlarge so' that the diaphragm chambers may exhaust freely.

wWhen the impulse of compressed air on top of the valve H has ceased the parts resume the position shown in the drawings where the diaphragm chamber F4 is inflated, the by-pass h2 performing no function, compressed air passing from the chamber A2 through the opening L and passage L1 to the interior of the valve rod H1 and out through the openings 4 and port 14 to the passage L3 and opening F5 into the chamber F4. The chamber G4 is at the same time exhausted through the opening G5, passage L2, port 12, openings 2, by-pass h3, openings 3, port 13 into the passage L4, L5, K2 and out Vthrough the opening a. This operation drum and other parts including the plate K 4 and casting J are mounted on the plate A1,

the casing A is bolted to the plate A1, the

parts being so proportioned that the casing may be clamped down on top of the plate K to form with rubber gaskets a watertight joint.

A4 is an eye by which the bell may be hung by a suitable shackle and chain. As the casing is usually made of bronze the shackle if of ironis best insulated from it .by suitable washers, etc., of indurated ber or the like. Y

The impulses to operate the valve H should be at the same pressure as that in the chamber A2,- the dierence in eective areas of the under and upper sides of the valve being suilicient to insure its active operation.

By means of suitable code mechanism, which is now well known in this art, the impulses of compressed air from the source of supply are controlled so that they may be delivered through the opening a2 as desired so that the bell will be struck a double blow periodically or may be givenanyV predetermined number v of blows which inay be grouped or not as desired.

Although the differentialV valve above de# scribed is' preferred -for controlling Vthe main diaphragms, it is not intended to limit the invention to its use as any otherA appropriate contrivance adapted to operate under the fluid pressure impulses may be employed for the purpose.

Other variations may be had from the mechanism shown and described above without departing from the spirit of my invention as set forth in the claims, for I do not mean in any case to limit my invention to the precise construction shown.

`What l claim as my invention is:-

l. ln a device of the character described, in combination, a casing having a sounder dependingl therefrom, a chipper arm mounted to swing', a cross bar pivotally connected to one end ot the clapper arm, and a motor comprising a stationary part and a movable part, said movable part being` attached to said cross bar whereby the movement ot said movable part is imparted directly hereto, an adjustable resilient member located opposite said movable member and adapted to take the impact ot the end of said cross bar opposite. that attached to said movable member.

2. ln a device or" the kind described, a sounder, a chipper arm and a motor comprising a stationary part and a movable part, the two forming a chamber, said clapper arm having.' a cross bar attached to its upper end and said movable part being pivn otally connected to one end ot' said cross bar to cause the clapper on said arm to strike the sounder, in combination with an adjustable resilient member located to be struck by the opposite end of said cross bar from that attached to said movable part substantially sin'uiltaneously with the striking' ot' said sounder by said clapper, whereby said clapper will rebound aiiter said sounder is struck and the extent of its rebound may be:4 controlled.

3. In a device ot' the kind describe l, a sounder, a pivotallv hungi' striker, means for operating said striker comprising' two oppositely located members each connected to said striker and adapted to oscillate it to strike said sounder alternat lv at two opposite points, and resilient cusiions located to receive an impact from said striker substantially simultaneously with the striking` thereby of said sounder.

e. ln a device of the character described, in combination, a sounder, a striker, a motor comprisinga stationary part and a movable part, said parts forminga chamber, said stationary part having' an opening` therein, a closure for said opening' adjustable there in and cushioning means located in said closure and adapted to receive the impact from said movable part, and means posi tively and directly connecting' said striker with said movable part.

5. in a device of the character described, in combination, a' sounder, a striker, a rigid diaphragm holder, a flexible diaphragm secured at its edges to the edges of said holder, means operatively connecting' said diaphragm and striker, said holder having a central opening and a plug closing, the said openingl and adjustable therein and carr ing a resilient cushion located to receive the impact of said diaphragm.

6. ln a device oi the kind described, a watertight casing adapted to provide a rcservoir for compressed air, a sounder depending therefrom, a motor located in said casing and adapted to be connected to said reservoir, and means for so connecting it, said motor comprising two oppositely located members, a. clapper arm carrying a clapper at one end adapted to engage said sounder, its other end being' located between and connected to both of said motor members, and bearings located within said casing, said clapper arm having' means whereby it is supported to be oscillated on said bearings.

7. In a. device o'' the kind described, a watertight casing' providing' a reservoir for compressed air, a sounder dependingl theretrom, a motor located in said casing and adapted to be connected to said reservoir, and means for so connecting' it, said motor comprising' two oppositely located members, means for connecting` said members, a clapper arm carrying a clapper at one end adapted to engage said soundenits other end being connected to the connection between said motors and pivotal means located in said watertight casing` to support said clapper arm between its extremities.

S. ln a device of the kind described. a watertight casing; providing a reservoir for compressed air, al sounder depending' theretrom, a motor located in said casing' and adapted to be connected to said reservoir, and means for so connecting it, said motor comprising' two oppositcly located members, the space between said members comprising; an exhaust chamber. means for connecting' said members alternately with said exhaust chamber, means for connecting said memn bers together, a clapper arm, one end being connected to said member connecting' means, the other end carrying' a clapper to engage said sounder, and flexible means connected to said clapper to close the lower end of said exhaust chamber.

9. ln a device of the kind described, a watertight casing' adapted to contain compressed air, a motor located in said casing', said motor comprising two oppositelydocated connected parts, said parts being adapted to be operated alternately by compressed air, an exhaust chamber, connections to supply said parts alternately with compressed air and exhaust the pressure therefrom into said exhaust chamber, a sounder located outside said casing', a striker for said sounder, bearings for said striker located within said casing, and means within said casing connecting said striker and said motor.

10. In a device of the kind described, a watertight casing adapted to contain compressed air, a motor located in said casing, said motor comprising two` oppositely-located parts, said parts being adapted to be operated alternately by compressed air, an exhaust chamber, connections to supply said parts alternately with compressed air and exhaust the pressure therefrom into said exhaust chamber, a sounder located outside said casing, a striker for said sounder, bearings for said striker located within saidV casing, and means also located within said casing connecting the oppositely-located parts of said motor and pivotally connected to said striker whereby said striker will be moved in opposite Vdirections to strike said sounder two successive blows on opposite sides thereof.

11. In a device of the kind described, in combination, a casing containing a pressure chamber, a sounder supported from said casing, a straight clapper arm pivotally supported in said casing to hang'vertically therefrom, and carrying a clapper at its lower end within said sounder, a motor within said casing comprisinga diaphragm arranged substantially parallel with the length of said clapper arm, and opposite the upper end thereof, and a cross bar connected to said clapper arm at right angles thereto and above its support and connecting said clapper arm with said diaphragm, whereby the movement of said diaphragm is exerted directly upon said crossV bar andsaid clapper arm.

12. Ina device of the kind described, in combination, a watertight casing, a bell located outside said casing, a clapper arm,

one end of said clapper arm carrying a clap-V per and being located outside said casing, the other end of said clapper arm extending into said casing, a motor located in said casing and comprising a pairiof diaphragm holders and oppositely-located diaphragms, one diaphragm being supported in each holder, said diaphragms being operatively connected with said clapper arm within said casing and adapted respectively to cause the clapper to strike said bell at opposite sides thereof.

13. In a device of the kind described, in combination, a watertight casing, a bell located outside said casing, a clapper arm, one end of said clapper arm carrying a claper and bein@r located outside said casinorr p o a:

the other end of said clapper arm extending into said casing, amotor located in said casing and comprising a pair of diaphragm holders and oppositely-located diaphragms, one diaphragm being supported in each holder, said diaphragms being operatively connected with said clapper arm within said casing and adapted respectively to cause the striker to strike said bell at opposite sides thereof, said casing forming a chamber adapted to contain compressed air, and means for supplying air therefrom to operate said diaphragms alternately.

' 14. In a device ofthe character described, in combination, a bell, a single clapper within said' bell, and operating mechanism for saidclapper adapted to cause said clapper to strike said bell alternately vat opposite sides, said operating mechanism comprising a casing having a pressure chamber, a motor comprising a pairof diaphragm holders and diaphragms, one diaphragm being connected to each diaphragm holder, said diaphragms being located opposite each otlierand lforming diaphragm chambers, means connecting said diaphragms with said clapper and with each other, and

means adapted to connect each diaphragm chamber alternately with vsaid pressure n chamber, said means comprising a reciprocating valve adapted with each reciprocation to connect one of said diaphragm chambers with said pressure chamber and allow pressure to exhaust from the other diaphragm chamber.

15. In a device of the character described,V in combination, a casing, a pressure chamber contained therein, a bell, a clapper coperating withk said bell, and operating mechanism for Vsaid clapper adapted to cause said clapper to strike said bell alternately at opposite sides, said mechanism comprising a pair of diaphragm holders, a pair of diaphragms, each connected toone of said holders, said diaphragms being located opposite each other, means connecting said diaphragms with said clapper andwith each other, and cushioningmeans' located to re'-` ceive' the impact of said diaphragm-connecting means.

16. In a device of the character described, in combination, a bell, a clapper coperating -with said bell, and operating mechanism for said clapper adapted to cause the same to IOO strike said bell alternately at opposite sides,

said mechanism comprising a clapper arm Vand a pair'of substantially parallel diaeratively connectedk with said clapper and adapted respectively to cause said clapper to'strike said bell at opposite sides, a pair of diaphragm holders each adapted to hold a diaphragm and form a diaphragm Vchamber therewith, an exhaust chamber locatedbetween said diaphragms connectible with said diaphragm chambers, and a differential valve one side of which is connected With said pressure chamber adapted to connect said pressure chamber With one of said diaphragrn chambers and the other diaphragm chamber with the exhaust chamber and thereafter to connect said exhausted diaphragm chamber with said pressure cham ber and said expanded diaphragm chamber with said. exhausted chamber, and means for operating said differential valve.

18. In a device of the character described, in combination, a easing having a pressure chamber and an exhaust chamber, a bell carried thereby, a clapper cooperating With said bell, a pair or' separate motors comprising a pair of diaphragms operatively connected with said clapper and adapted respectively to cause said clapper to strike said bell at opposite sides, a pair of diaphragm holders each adapted to hold a diaphragm and form a diaphragm chamber therev-Jith,y an exhaust chamber located between said diaphragme connectble with said diaphragm chambers, and a valve adapted to connect said pressure chamber With one of said diaphragm chambers and the other diaphragm chamber with the exhaust chamber and thereafter to connect said exhausted diaphragm chamber With said pressure chamber and said expanded diaphragm chamber With said exhausted chamber, and means for operating said valve.

19. In a device of the kind described, a drum having an opening atits top and bottom, diaphragms closing the ends thereof, a striker one end of Which is located Within said drum and means for closing the opening through which said striker end passes into said drum, means for connecting said diaphragm and said end of said striker and a valve casing and valve closing the open ing in the top of said drum, passages controlled by said valve connecting with the chamber Within said drum whereby said chamber Will serve as an exhaust chamber for said diaphragme and an exhaust passage leading from said chamber and means for supporting said diaphragms whereby the application of pressure behind said diaphragms will cause them to be operated.

20. ln a device et the kind described, a casing, two diaphragm holders, each carrying a diaphragm, each diaphragm and diaphragm holder forming together a diaphragm chamber, all located Within said casing, means for supplying compressed air to said diaphragm chambers alternately, said means comprising a pressure chamber located in said casing, a valve and passages connecting' said pressure chamber and said. diaphragm chambers controlled by said valve whereby the movement of said valve in one direction will cause the delivery ot pressure to one diaphragm chamber and the exhaust from the second diaphragm chamber, and the movement of the valve in the other direction will cause the delivery of pressure to the second diaphragm chambers and the exhaust from the first diaphragm chambers, in combination with a striker connected to said diaphragm chambers whereby the movement ot the valve in either direction Will cause an operation of the striker, the connection between said striker and said diaphragm being Within said casing, and a bell located outside or' and supported from said casing, one end of said striker being located outside of said casing and in operative relation to said bell.

EDVARD C. VVGGD.

Witnesses EARL H. lianes, ROBERT FULTON Bnl/inn.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for vc cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

